Monday, January 23, 2012

I've been feeling really nauseous today. I don't want you to leave just yet, so I'll spare you the details. Jumping over to something nice instead. Something like... a new layout to share, maybe? Does that sound better than norovirus? I thought so :-)

Here it comes.

This is my first Christmas(ish) layout this year. I am afraid it could be the last one as well. Don't feel like scrapping about Christmas, but at the same time I feel like I have to. I should probably at least make some kind of a Holiday collage before Easter bunny comes knocking on my door. No well... some other time... maybe...

1. Create a top ten embellishment list for yourself. Make a layout that incorporates at least 3 of them....wait, that would be to easy. Here is the challenge.

2. Use one embellishment (or more) in a different way than intended! Be creative!

3. Alter an embellishment in some way! Stamp on a ribbon, use glitter...just make that embellishment yours!

4. Mix up the title with different types of alphabets!

This challenge was right up my alley! I love experimenting with embellishments. So what did I do then? Well, as you can see I used a lot of different embellishments; I used several chipboard elements, buttons, twine, rub-on, stickers and some bling. For #2 I used a chipboard element as a photo mat. I wanted to add some dimension to my photo group. For #3 I played a little with the clock rub-on. I placed a red ring sticker underneath to make the clock pop, to make it mine.

And the title is mixed up. This is also something I often do, even when not requested by Stacey :-)

And yet another close up just because it's fun...

The collection is Crate Paper Peppermint (really cute!) and the layout is about 2011 St. Lucia celebration. Linnea was so happy, so excited this year. The pictures are taken in our hallway, early in the morning, just a second before we headed off to her preschool to enjoy the ceremony.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Linnea's personality started to show when she was just a little baby. And now, at the age of three, she has more colors than a rainbow! She takes my breath away every single day! This layout is about her: My little Miss Personality.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I am here to show you a layout I made last night. I was up 'til 4 to finish it! I don't have my own scrap room so I can't just leave the mess and go to bed. I always try to finish a layout once I've started, which sometimes results in late, late scrappy hours.

I didn't have any Jillibean Soup papers to play with (how come???) but I did have their journaling sprouts! It says that you have to use some Jillibean Soup goodies to participate in the Sketch Challenge, so I hope that the sprouts are enough. Anyhow, here is my take:

The papers are My Minds Eye Lime Twist. I don't get this thing... colors looked so much better when viewed outside Blogger! Strange...

I had some fun with twine:

That's it for this time! I think I am going to spend some time with my vacuum cleaner now...

Friday, January 13, 2012

I love this picture of Linnea. Love her wild bed hair look. Her messy morning curls deserve a layout, don't you think? :-)

I used Lily Bee Head over Heels collection. The papers are perfect to express love :-) This collection is featured in the January kit from My Scrapbook Nook. I cut the love stripe with banners from one of the journaling cards that was included in the kit.

"Love" letters are also cut from one of the journaling cards. I wanted to keep this layout pretty clean and simple, so I chose to have a single (but huge) embellishment next to the photo.

Aww, look at these pretty plumped up lips!!! My sweet little girl!

I guess I'll go back to bed now. Still not feeling well... Just had to share this one with you :-)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

October Afternoon has a challenge about creative goals for 2012. I could write a long list about goals I would like to accomplish as a scrapbooker, but I realize something: Without consistency I will not be able to accomplish a thing!

I must learn how to be consistent with pretty much anything I do. I could easily apply this goal on the rest of my life as well, not only the scrapbooking. I must learn how to be a little less of an "all or nothing" girl. I want to make scrapbooking a natural part of my life; not something I abuse for couple of months and then barely touch. I want to be consistent with the quality of my layouts. I know that I am capable of making some pretty good stuff (at least I want to believe that :)), I just need to add the same dedication to everything I do. I need to let every layout take the time it needs.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

It's that time of the month...
I am having my once-in-a-month-pains and this time it feels a little too much. So much that I had to stay at home today. It's almost noon and I am still wearing my pjs! Ha! Feels like luxury for someone with a little kid; someone like me.

The good thing about being at home is that I can update my blog with a layout I made yesterday :-)
This one is for the Challenge #2 over at the Nook. The challenge was to use 10 different patterned papers! Yes, you read it right - 10!!! I don't think I have ever used that many papers on a single page. It was really, really tough! The original idea I came up with was totally different than the outcome. Different papers, different photo, different design. Buuuuuut... well... it turned out nothing like the picture in my head LOL I had to start all over and 5 hours later I could clean up the mess satisfied, with a big smile on my face. I love the result!

This time I used the September kit from My Scrapbook Nook. The kit featured Crate Paper Random collection. I am really starting to like paper stripes along page borders. I've been seeing this technique all around the scrap world for a while now...

Sunday, January 8, 2012

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Supplies:Cardstock 12*123 different patterned papersa tag or journalling card.Ribbona chipboard embellishmenta stickerbanners (ready made or you can make them yourself)flowersthickers / alphabetborder punchpen for journallingphoto (no larger than 4''*3'')

Step 1: In patterned paper (pp) 1 cut out two small strips measuring 12''* ¼'' and adhere to 2 of the four borders (you choose!!)Step 2: In pp 2 cut out two other small strips measuring 12''* ¼'' and adhere to 2 of the 4 borders (you choose!!) Step 3: In pp 3 : cut out a rectangle measuring 5''*3.5'', place on your cardstock (don't stick it down just yet).Step 4: Add your journalling card / tag to the rectangle.Step 5: Cut out 2 strips of pp (which ever you like) size: 3.5''*1'' (you can use your border punch on them!) and add them by slipping them underneath the rectangle. You can glue everything down now! Step 6: Place your photo on the cluster element rectangle-journalling card/tag-border strips.Step 7: Add your banners (I made three tiny ones)Step 8: Add your stickerStep 9: Add your flowersStep 10: Add your title

The only additional things you may add are: journalling and mists/inks!
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Fun, huh? :-) I loved this challenge!

This is my take:

The layout is about my big dream - to one day design for My Scrapbook Nook and for at least one manufacturer. I do call it "dream BIG" so please don't laugh at me ;-) I had a 4 months long guest design spot at the the Nook and that was the best thing I have ever done! Love that place!

The papers are Echo Park Times&Seasons. Love the rich colors! I have added yellow as accent and I really like how it turned out. :-)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

I had a huge 30 year crisis, when I was 29. I went through the things I've done in my twenties. I graduated as a master of science. I moved to Stockholm. I got a great job. I got married. I gave birth to my first child. I bought a house. Sounds like a very productive decade, doesn't it? Well, I spent an entire year asking myself one question - now what? What am I supposed to do the rest of my life? I was going to turn 30! I mean - 30! It felt too late to start partying like a rock star. It felt too late to grab a backpack and see the world. I just couldn't stop thinking that I should have done all those things in my twenties; I should have saved this grown-up, family life for later.

On August 10th, it happened. I turned 30. And guess what? It wasn't that bad. I woke up and realized - I was happy. I was happy with who I am. I actually like myself and my grown-up life :-) I love my wonderful family. I am good at my job. I am loved.

That's what this layout is all about. Photos are from my 30th birthday.

I have used the January kit from the Nook for this layout. The kit features Head over Heels by Lily Bee. Pretty, pretty, pretty! ♥

In case you have missed the news of the month - today starts a 5 weeks long crop over at the Nook! I hope you will join and play along! The Nook crops are the best!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Most of 2011 has been a nightmare. To make a long story short - the nightmare started in May when they announced that 450 out of 600 employees will have to leave the company I am working for. That time I was one of those who got a chance to stay (but the whole process took ~5 long tough months!). In December they dropped a new bomb on us (this time a nuclear) and decided to shut down the whole place. Unbelievable!

Luckily, the job market for my profession is actually quite good and finding a new job was not a problem, but the whole this "thing" has drained me of my energy. That's why my blog has been so quiet. I have scrapped a little during this time, mainly as a therapy, but I didn't have motivation to share or chat. If I had a minute I spent it looking for a new job. And guess what! Now I have one! Can't wait to get started! :-) April feels so far, far away...

Anyhow, 2012 is here! I have a new job waiting for me and I don't need to worry anymore. Meaning - a lot more energy to scrap, share and chat with you like-minded souls! ;-)

Yesterday I made my first layout for this year. I feel alive again!
I was out of ink and I couldn't print any photos but I just couldn't wait a day longer! I had L's preschool photo lying here, begging to be scrapped. I found a sketch over at BasicGrey's (needed something to get me going) and I gave it a try. It wasn't easy and it looks nothing like the sketch, but it felt great anyway :-) Here it comes:

I have used the lovely Hello Luscious collection from Basic Grey. It was featured in one of the kits from the Nook I received but never used. It really hurt watching the pile of unopened boxes from the Nook get higher and higher. Yesterday, I riped them all up (like an impatient kid opening her Christmas presents). Oh my sweet goddess! I almost got blinded by all the beauty :-)

Couple of closeups:

I have no idea how many of you will find your way back to my place. But if you didn't give up on me and somehow dropped by - thanks! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!